Updated: Mon Sep. 29 2008 17:25:40

ctvbc.ca

Residential areas and zones without meters seem to be places you can leave your car without risking a ticket, according to a new CTV News and ESRI Canada analysis of parking tickets in Vancouver.

But if you park in some commercial zones or downtown -- including top ticketing spot Robson and Burrard -- watch out.

"There are definitely areas where you're going to be getting a ticket," said Julie Scott-Ashe of ESRI Canada, the software company that mapped the data.

• Related: Top ten places you'll get ticketed in Vancouver
• Related: Interactive ticket map
• Related: The Know Parking series

CTV News used a freedom of information request to obtain digital copies of every parking ticket issued in Vancouver over a two-week period in the spring.

With some 400,000 parking tickets issued per year, there was a lot of data to go through, so we asked software company ESRI Canada to help.

The company analyzed the data and built this map, which shows you where the parking ticket officers go and where they tend to avoid -- which could save you headaches and cash.

While parking ticket enforcement officers tended to avoid residential areas, and streets without meters, they were extremely vigilant in other parts of the city.

On Broadway, throughout downtown, and especially along 4th Avenue, parking enforcement officers seemed to be ticketing left and right -- with multiple tickets issued each day on each block.

The top streets to be ticketed were Davie Street in the West End, Granville Street in the downtown core, Homer Street in Yaletown, and along 4th Avenue.

But the top spot to be ticketed by far was 1000-block Robson, at the corner of Robson and Burrard.

CTV News sent drivers to some of the hot zones -- to Burrard and Robson, along Broadway, along Cordova, and on Hornby Street.

All four drivers left their vehicles, didn't pay the meter, and waited to see how long it would take to get a ticket.

For two hours, nothing happened -- and then it came, ticket after ticket.

A parking enforcement officer on Hornby Street beat the one patrolling Robson -- but at 3:00, the city was clearing the streets for rush hour and the cars were towed away.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander and Jon Woodward

Comments are now closed for this story

Peter
I was in court to dispute parking ticket and had the disgust of hearing these "officers" discuss amongst themselves where the best places were to ticket people. Yes, we should be following the law, but their motives and ego seem to be getting in the way

Bill
Here are two great ways to not get a parking ticket...
1) Put money in the meter
2) Don't park in no parking zones.

Simple.

Parking Lot Mad
Today I went to a Safeway in Surrey. (Used their parking lot) I got a few things there & walked about 100 yards to an eye clinic to get my wife. When we got back to the car a few minutes later, we had been ticketed because I "left" the parking lot. What makes this more ridiculous, is the puny little parking lot next to the clinic was full. I don't want to offend anybody, so my opinion of Safeway & the "lot patrol" can't be repeated here.

JR from BC
Don't illegaly park if you don't want a ticket! I think it is great that officers discuss hot areas to ticket. I am tired of seeing people parking where they want!

Parking Lot Mad
JR must be one of the guys ticketing cars.

Henry
Now it's discusting that bylaw officers are patrolling alleys for backyard parking around the PNE. Residents are threatened by city hall to reduce parking for PNE events...can't even make a buck these days.

Kai
It is not as if one gets ticketed or car being towed for doing nothing wrong. I don't see how anyone can complain if the person is at fault in the first place.

Steve
Bill
Here are two great ways to not get a parking ticket...
1) Put money in the meter (If you happen to have change and if the damn things work without ripping you off)
2) Don't park in no parking zones. (unless you have no choice like if there is no room in the "parking zones")

Simple. (is it now?)

Chris from Vancouver
I pay by phone at the city's meters, and I never get a ticket because the service sends me a txt msg reminder when my parking is about to expire. I can call in from wherever I am and extend my time. I pay by phone at parking lots too.
paybyphone.com

sandy
I used to live at the Wall Centre condos yrs ago. It is in the 1000 blk of Burrard. Many City parking officials took their breaks, incl. breakfast, at the little deli on Helmcken and Burrard under the Wall Centre condos. I always thought that their office (home base) was in the brick office tower at Howe and Helmcken. It would explain the high # of tickets in the close vicinity in the top 10 list - such as 2 on Hornby, the 2 on Homer (particularly since those spots are not particulary high traffic areas).

sandy
I used to live at the Wall Centre condos yrs ago. It is in the 1000 blk of Burrard. Many City parking officials took their breaks, incl. breakfast, at the little deli on Helmcken and Burrard under the Wall Centre condos. I always thought that their office (home base) was in the brick office tower at Howe and Helmcken. It would explain the high # of tickets in the close vicinity in the top 10 list - such as 2 on Hornby, the 2 on Homer (particularly since those spots are not particulary high traffic areas).

Timer
Maybe CTV can do a test on how accurate the meters are in Vancouver. Do we really get every second we paid for.

Ian
I work next to the Wedgewood Hotel. There is a loading zone for couriers. Cars are parked there for hours. Parking enforcement comes by but never tickets anyone. I know I have personally seen this alot. Great place to park. Right across from the law courts.

Yale
JR - next time be a little less obvious